Taken for research purposes, these bizarre medical photographs were used to document the various affects and disorders of the 19th century’s most scandalous disorder – Female Hysteria.

For thousands of years, hysteria has plagued the medical community as a bit of a mystery. Known as “the wandering womb” by Hippocrates since the Ancient Greeks, the known method for treatment was almost always pregnancy until the 19th Century when a vaginal massage and/or stimulation using a vibrator or water hose administered by your family doctor was the modern approach.

Charcot, however, was interested in the minds of these plagued women, and hoped to use one of technology’s latest advancements, photography, to aid his research.

What resulted is a macabre collection of photographs that capture terrifying and strange lost moments between doctor and patient. He took these photographs over the course of many years with hundreds of different women, as well as men (murderers and convicts) to decipher the physical codes of the world’s most confusing ancient tradition – madness.

Although some of his attendants and colleagues who describe these photography sessions as highly staged, with Charcot demanding perfection of the moment that usually occurred back at the hospital, beyond the truthful eyes of the 19th Century camera. He painstakingly ensured the detail captured in each photograph was true to, what he thought, was the true depiction of the disease and its many characteristics.

The photographs are very specific and plain. No out of element lighting techniques or off angles – just the subject, and their explicit diagnoses. What came through is a very disturbing display.

The photographs were used to illustrate the true nature of this neurological disorder to a society fascinated by the elaborate and unusual. While many of the women were unable to be treated for their “problems”, they remain unforgettable figures of our modern life.

Today, they are as awesome and curious as ever, with hardly anything in our contemporary culture to compare these majestic and mysterious medical muses.

We’ll say a lil’ prayer for you during this Photoblast. Some symbolism you may recognize, some sights should be new! We’re feeling nostalgic for holier times… Although we’re certain we’d be burned as a Witch!

Thank our goodness, we are alive today to bring you some inspiration to say a little prayer for us! Let us be saved from this unholy hell, and bless’d our soul for whose past we grieve, but who’s future is shining and bright!

We’re sure the pearly gates are more beautiful in Death than any sights on this land, but we’d be lying if we acted as if we didn’t adore seeing Faith in Fashion and splendor in this land.

Sometimes controversially cliche, we don’t get too bored when it comes talk of God and Jesus Christ. We’ll turn our cheek and listen to the street and love what fashion houses are turning out. We do love throwing on a wide brimmed black hat, Rosary and grabbing a Crucifix for a danced filled night out!

Thankfully we know what’s good fun, and what will get us into trouble. We may have a Dark Side, but for heaven’s sake, we’re not Demonic! We trust our Angels to guide us along in every bold decision and choice. And you can trust in The Eye of Faith to Graciously Guide you through the coming days.

Tuck your ambition where no one will notice, or wear it one your sleeve! Only you can decide how you’d like to carry on through this life. This is a destiny you’ve been planning in the pit of your own subconscious for many nights now! Deem yourself worthy of being a hero and envision the future waiting around the corner, your destiny is your own to fulfill.

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”Oscar Wilde

But be forewarned, the demons come out at night to play and to feast. They harvest our hopes and turn dreams to waking anxiety. A dream has turned to nightmare in what seemed like a flash, now arousing feelings horror and distress. But you are more powerful than creature of the dark. Fight or flight? Do we deem ourselves worthy of accomplishing the many feats which plague us? Imperfectly conscious, the truth will be told.

There is an energy within our dreams which fuels our ambitions. A strong desire to accomplish more than which greats us each morning, leaving us yearning for more each night. A fantasy of a richer tomorrow, where dreams are bright, where we won’t see a fright. We must battle the darkness as it comes to reap our hopes and prayers.

The demons are listening, we must cast away any doubt! Stay strong in our fantasies and remember, don’t be afraid of the doubt.

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The Eye of Faith {Vintage} is a brand dedicated to integrating time traveled wisdom from the {past} with the {present} to help shape the {future}. It is an age old symbol of believing in oneself, and having faith in your dreams. No longer must we be lost. We are a burgeoning society dedicated to an alternative to the purchase of affordable fashion forward apparel, accessories, and home decor. We also provide design services and consultation, as well as costume and styling. At our core, we are a source of inspiration and musing.
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